When the IPPIS was implemented in Nigeria by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, in 2020, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) saw the dangers in it and rejected it. Most members of ASUU had to be forcefully enrolled in it for the system to become effective in Federal Universities. As soon as the implementation started in the Universities, the dangers foreseen by ASUU began to manifest; no Sabbatical Leave, no Visiting Lecturers and other practices necessary for effective running of Universities. As a matter of fact, even corruption was noticed in the system, as non-workers were enrolled in the system and their salaries were collected by corrupt officials.
ASUU’s continued battle against the IPPIS paid off when the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided to remove Federal Universities and other tertiary institutions from the system in 2023. But the government officials benefiting from the system, through corrupt practices, have continued to frustrate Federal employees removed from the system, with the aim of forcing them back. Their salaries are delayed sometimes up to the middle of the following month, whereas salaries of workers still under the IPPIS are paid promptly. In spite of the declaration by ASUU that its members should boycott classes if, after three days, salaries are not paid, delay in payment has continued.
Government is supposed to take care of the welfare of its citizens, among others. If the subsistent salaries paid to most workers in Nigeria are delayed, their problems are compounded. Feeding, healthcare, children’s school fees, religious celebrations, among others, are affected. Religious celebrations which used to be events of happiness and joy are now done with gloomy faces. In some other climes salaries are even paid twice in a month to make workers meet their urgent responsibilities. It is not everyone who wants to be a thief, like we see many government officials steal billions of Naira. We want our legitimate earnings paid promptly.
ASUU should continue the battle against the IPPIS until it is finished. We cannot continue to allow corrupt officials benefiting from the system hold us to ransom. Frustrated and demoralized workforce cannot work for the progress of a country. Our country is underdeveloped partly because of this trend. As a patriotic Union ASUU should take the lead in reversing the trend.
Sule Mohammed wrote from the History Department of ABU Zaria